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hip

n. · adj. · v. · interj.
US //ˈhɪp// UK //hˈɪp// hip
  1. 1 body part (n.)
    A2 Elementary Medicine

    the area on either side of your body below the waist and above the legs.

    the anatomical region formed by the lateral projection of the pelvis and the greater trochanter of the femur.

    Example

    She stood with her hands on her hips while she waited for the bus.

    Example

    The surgeon explained that the patient required a total hip replacement due to advanced osteoarthritis in the joint.
  2. 2 rose fruit (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    the small, red or orange fruit of a rose plant.

    the accessory fruit of various plants in the genus Rosa, typically containing multiple achenes.

    Example

    In the autumn, the bushes were covered in bright red rose hips.

    Example

    Foraging for rose hips provides a significant source of vitamin C during the winter months when other fresh fruits are scarce.
    • rosehip
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  1. 3 trendy or cool (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Slang

    knowing about the latest fashions, music, or ideas; very cool.

    possessing contemporary knowledge of subcultures, fashion, or trends; socially current.

    Example

    The new café in the city centre is a very hip place to hang out.

    Example

    The marketing campaign was designed to appeal to a hip, urban demographic that values authenticity over traditional corporate branding.
  2. 4 to bump with the body (v.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Sport

    to hit or push someone using your hip.

    to strike or nudge another person using the hip, often as a tactical move in sports.

    Example

    The defender tried to hip the attacker off the ball during the game.

    Example

    In ice hockey, a well-timed hip check can effectively neutralise an opponent's momentum along the boards.
  3. 5 cheering sound (interj.)
    B1 Intermediate British English

    a word used to start a group cheer, usually followed by 'hooray'.

    a conventionalised exclamation used as a signal to initiate a collective cheer.

    Example

    The crowd shouted 'hip hip hooray' when the winner was announced.

    Example

    The chairman called for a 'hip hip hooray' to celebrate the successful completion of the community project.

Etymology 1

From Middle English hipe, hupe, from Old English hype, from Proto-Germanic hupiz (compare Dutch heup, Low German Huop, German Hüfte), from Proto-Indo-European ḱewb- (compare Welsh cysgu (“to sleep”), Latin cubāre (“to lie”), Ancient Greek κύβος (kúbos, “hollow in the hips”), Albanian sup (“shoulder”), Sanskrit शुप्ति (śúpti, “shoulder”)), from *ḱew- (“to bend”). More at high. The sense "drug addict" derives from addicts lying on their hips while using certain drugs such as opium.

Etymology 2

From Middle English hepe, heppe, hipe, from Old English hēope, from Proto-Germanic heupǭ (compare Dutch joop, German Hiefe, Faroese hjúpa), from Proto-Indo-European ḱewb- (“briar, thorn”) (compare Old Prussian kaāubri (“thorn”), Lithuanian kaubrė̃ (“heap”)).

Etymology 3

Unknown or disputed. Probably a variant of hep; both forms are attested from the first decade of the 20th century. Some sources suggest derivation from Wolof hepi (“to see”) or hipi (“to open one’s eyes”). Others suggest connection to the noun, as opium smokers were said to lie on a hip. Neither of these suggestions is widely accepted, however.

Idioms1 entry

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